Future Blues

I started hearing "Let's Work Together" on a commercial on TV. How appropriate that song seems to be today. Reminded me that I had this album in college and had forgotten about it till now. Canned Heat was one of the most underrated blues and boogie bands from the late 60's, early 70"s. Most people on know them only from "On the Road Again" and "Going Up the Country", but if you liked those songs and appreciate the blues, you should try this one out.

Let's here it for FUTURE (of the) BLUES. This is a fine blues album, probably better than Boogie With Canned Heat; and a little surprising Harvey Mandel did not play (guitar) with the band longer. "Sunflower" Vestine would return for the next Canned Heat album.But, these American bluesmen also get points for writing their own stuff with songs like London Blues standing the test of longevity (time); and with this album released in 1970 it is not as surprising members of Canned Heat would, eventually, contribute instrumental assistance - on 2 songs - for Clarence Gatemouth Brown's 1973 release Gate's On The Heat. Also, on FUTURE BLUES, Canned Heat plays a fine little diddy called "Skat" (composed by Al Wilson) certainly helping to explain how this meeting with Gatemouth - an American music, blues jazz man icon - could come to fruition.Also on this album is the popular "Let's Work Together" as is the very popular remake of "Woolly Bully" (Bonus song).Also, quite funny, is the Christmas song with Alvin and the Chipmunks on Bonus tracks. It's not much of a song really but just hearing Alvin trying to get into the guitar jam by saying in that high pitched voice of his "I really dig these guys..." and laughing giddily...it's quite humorous. "Merry Christmas Bear...!"

After playing together for a few years, tensions in the band developed between Henry "The Sunflower" Vestine and Larry "the Mole" Taylor. After these tensions increased Vestine left backstage at the Fillmore West, and Canned Heat had to find another lead guitar. They found their choice in Harvey "the Snake" Mandel, and the result of that union was Future Blues.Perhaps no other CH album works so well. Mandel's guitar style and flourishings meshed perfectly with the other members of the band and that freedom of interplay can be detected on every song on the albums. For the unfortunate few who have not heard this album and would like to have a glimpse of what their playing sounded like, the following is a brief description of the songs:"Sugar Bee." This is a good start for the album. The new ensemble is warming up for the remaining songs."Shake it and Break it." This song showcases the vocal and rhythm guitar skills of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson. The song was originally written by Charlie Paton. The Heat puts a rock beat to the song. Mandel goes into a searing guitar solo in the bridge."That's Alright Mama." This is a cover of the Crudup song made famous by Elvis Presley. CH makes this song completely their own. The beat is slow and lumbering. You can feel the sweltering Louisiana swamp in the beat. Listen closely to the interplay between the Snake, Blind Owl and the Mole. They are all moving with a different beat. The highlight is where Wilson and Mandel trade solos against the lumbering bottom provided by Taylor. Mandel's solo guitar is inspired. Bass musicians should note the bass riff in the song. On vinyl is was present but not clearly distinct. With the digital CD the notes are crystal clear. The progressions should be noted, analyzed and studied."My Time Ain't Long." Wilson knew something at the time he wrote this song. He passed away in a drug overdose -- accidental or not -- a few months after the album was released. The slide guitar in the background is ominous. Just when you thing the song is over, Mandel jumps into a spirited guitar solo, with Taylor and Wilson in the background. This solo qualifies as one of the best in rock music."Skat." Another song by Wilson. It is what the title says, skat singing to a rock beat."Let's Work Together." This was the Heat's single off the album."London Blues." Another Wilson song. The tone is ominous and foreboding. There is something eery in the way he sings this song. He sings of unrequited love, to a fine finish."So Sad (The World Is in a Tangle)." Another great rocker. The Heat's entry for a boogie number. It features fine solos by the members."Future Blues." It seems this song was another candidate as a single, but didn't make it. Mandel's guitar playing is great.All in all, Future Blues qualifies as one of the best pure blues rock albums. For those lucky enough to own the original pressings of the LP, a comic book about the band was included as an extra. Mandel would stay with the band when it played Woodstock, but was not included in a major way for any other album. Vestine would eventually return. We should all be thankful that this album displays the best of Canned Heat and is a worthy inclusion in any music collection.

What a great great album....Alan Wilson's last. Such a variety of songs which really show off this bands under-rated skills in all departments. A wonderful partner to their Concert '70 live album. Hard to top.

The band's best post-Woodstock studio album,1970's Future Blues also marked a commercial peak of sorts. Their hit single remake of Wilbert Harrison's Let's Work Together (a chart hit for him the previous year) drove the original LP's successful chart run and probably exposed these FM radio stalwarts to a wider audience due to the single's Top 40 airplay. The album seems more focused and less boogie-fied than prior Canned Heat efforts, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. This reissue features five mostly interesting bonus tracks, including the tighter mono single version of Let's Work Together.

Just a mild warning on the 2019 recent re-mastered release of this amazing album: Opened it brand new, inside was a re-mastered "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys. Jus' sayin'.... Of course, as always Amazon honored a quick return/refund.

I am a big, big Canned Heat fan. I have been without a copy of Future Blues since I lost my vinyl copy decades ago. I was delighted to find this new edition here on Amazon. It sounds great and has three bonus tracks plus some good liner notes. Now my Canned Heat collection is complete.

Canned Heat is a vastly underrated American Blues band. They tend to be characterized as a blues boogie band. Yet in reality, Al Wilson and company are legitimate purveyors of the great American Blues genre. Canned Heat’s early recordings, this included, are essential for serious collectors of 1960’s blues.

A welcome reissue of the Heat’s 1970 album, with five bonus tracks, this should appeal to listeners who need to replace their cherished vinyl. Apart from guitarist Harvey Mandel who stood in for Henry Vestine, this was the last album to feature the classic line up of Bob Hite, Al Wilson, Larry Taylor and drummer Adolfo “Fito” De La Parra. Shortly after this album was made Al ’Blind Owl’ Wilson tragically died of a drugs overdose at 27 years old.While this may not be the best album that they ever recorded, there are still some good cuts including their classic version of ‘Let’s Work Together’, that is included as a mono version within the bonus tracks, ‘So Sad (the World’s In A Tangle), and the title track. Dr John plays piano on Al Wilson’s tale of lost love in ‘London Blues’, and again on the cheerful ’Skat’.Long-time fans of the band will of course, have this CD in their collection, but for any listener who is discovering Canned Heat’s music for the first time it is worth a listen.Paul L Mooney

This is all very nice but it's not Canned Heat because Henry Vestine isn't on it.Harvey Mandel is a much more capable guitarist and you might think that losing Vestine, with his limited soloing repertoireof the same 8 notes, as Alan Wilson put it would improve the band.As it turns out, for me anyway they become less of a team and more of an appendage.So sometimes more is less.

Listening to.

I just like canned heat. It is not disappointing

I purchased this album on vinyl when it was first released back in the seventies, the very early seventies and for many years it was my favourite album. After two listen throughs, it is again, the Heat were a great band!